Bunro Sakaino Concentration Camp Diary

March 4 (Thursday)

According to what reportedly was told by visitors from the Manzanar Relocation Center [1], majority of nisei are refusing to voluntarily serve in the military, and that is getting some attention. Their reasoning is that, and there is no reason for them to serve now after their U.S. citizenship was ignored by the authorities. I heard about 7,400 volunteered to serve in Hawaii, surpassing the expected 1,500, but the number is quite low in the mainland. A total of 21 people have been ordered to be transferred to the family center including two from the H Area, eight from the K-2 Area and 11 from the K-1 Area. However, it is not decided where they are to be transferred to, and no public announcement has been made regarding the duration of incarceration of their family school facilities for them.

A farewell gathering was held at 6:30 p.m. at the mess hall for the K-1 folks who were departing early, and about 200 people attended. Mr. Hatayama emceed and Mr. Hamao Hayashi gave a thank you speech on behalf of them. Beer was served with crackers, cheese and sausage just as what we expect to be served to the detained. Mr. Ikken Momii emceed, and a lot of performances were presented, but we cannot wipe off the pitiful atmosphere as usual. I heard that two people received an unexpected order to be transferred to the relocation center [2] in Arkansas. They applied to return to Japan, and they say they are scheduled to be united with the family. It is reported the center has a designated barracks for the families scheduled to go back to Japan, and they are all reunited and live together.

[1] This is the term used by the author

[2] This is the term used by the author